Acetylene-gas generator.



No. 741,771. Y PATENTED 007. 20, 1903.

G. H. DAVIS.

AGETY'LENE GAS GENERATOR.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 15I 1902.

NOMODEL, I I I Ki 1 I 1'1 LL11 H l I i k M .g r f 7 q) I l l M i ub y mh w i NITED STATES Patented October 20, 1903.

PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE H. DAVIS, OF PORTLAND, MAINE, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO EDWARD T. BURROWES, OF PORTLAND, MAINE.

ACETYLENE-GAS GENERATOR.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 741,771, dated October 20, 1903.

Application filed September 15, 1902. Serial No. 123.369. (No model- To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE H. DAVIS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Portland, in the county of Cumberland and State of Maine, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Gas-Generators; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to improvements in gas-generators, and more particularly to generators for acetylene gas, and it is embodied in the construction and arrangement of parts presently to be described, and defined inthe claims.

The invention is designed more particularly for a generator for acetylene lighting and propelling purposes, and more particularly for use in connection with vessels, and the same comprises a suitable means for generating acetylene gas, maintaining the neces without in the least departing from the na-' ture and principle of the invention.

Figure 1 is a longitudinal section of a portion of a vessel, showing parts in elevation and showing the general arrangement of the apparatus; and Fig. 2 is a plan view of the feed-wheel.

Adesignates the vessel-hull, having formed therein a well 13, opening through the bottom of the vessel. The upper end of the well B is flared somewhat, as at O, and on the top is positioned a suitable feed D, the same comprising conveniently a wheel having a series of pockets cl and a circumferential series of teeth. In the top of the well portion, which I shall term the generating-chamber, is an opening at, normally closed by a spring-actuated valve 61 the valve opening downward. The opening (1 registers with the pockets in the feed-wheel D and also at their upper ends with the feed-tube 6, leading from a carbidtank E. To drive the feed, a pinion F is employed, which is driven by suitable gearing F and sprocket F which latter is driven by the driving-shaft G of the boat.

Suitable means may be employed for introducing the initial supply of carbid, and such means may consist conveniently of an opening in the top of the generating-chamber, as shown at Z). From the top of the generatingchamber extends a pipe l-L'the same being carried downward through the bottom of the vessel and along the center thereof, where it will be exposed to the surrounding water. This pipe discharges into a purifier H, from which it is conducted by a pipe h to the explosive-engine J, of any convenient type. I have shown the engine J in elevation without the necessary detail features thereof, as any convenient form of engine can be employed.

K designates a pump of any convenient type,having its suction-pipe leading through the bottom of the vessel and its discharge pipe L leading up into the top of the generating-chamber.

Spanning the generating-chamber adjacent its lower end is a wire or other suitable screen M. p

In practice it will be observed that the well B will be at all times filled with water, having the lower open end, the water standing normally at the height of the surrounding water. As the carbid is thrown into the water at the top of the generating-chamber the gas-pressure will necessarily reduce the height of the water in the well B, and the gas will be taken through the pipe H to the engine J, where the same is exploded and serves to drive the piston of the engine, as in the usual explosive-engines. The piston in turn drives the shaft G, which actuates the feeddriving mechanism. The movement of the feed-wheel is governed by the gearing, and as the pocket loaded with carbid approaches the opening 01 the weight of the material will open the valve d and discharge the carbid into the generator. Conveniently I prefer to employ ground carbid, although this is not absolutely essential. When the engine is working, the pump K is started and a fresh supply of water is pumped at all times into the generator, forcing out through the bottom all contaminated Water and sludge, the wirescreen serving the purpose of preventing any lumps of carbid from escaping before they are completely dissolved.

Obviously gas can be taken from the top of the generator for lighting purposes. I have shown in the drawings a pipe 0, leading to a search-light P.

The principles of the invention, it will be observed, are in maintaining the proper water conditions in the generator, and owing to the fact that the generator is open at the bottom the necessity of trapping is avoided, although it may be thata suitable valve mechanism could be employed, if desired. I regard the utilization of the Water-supplying means as highly important in that it conducts a fresh supply of water to the top of the generator.

Of course the principles involved in this invention can be applied in many different ways.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In an acetylene-generator the combination with a vessel, of a generating-chamber opening through the bottom thereof, and means for feeding carbid to the chamber.

2. In combination with a vessel, of a generating-chamber opening through the bottom thereof below the Water-line, means for supplying carbid to the chamber, and means for ejecting water into the upper portion of the generating-chamber.

3. In combination with a vessel, of a generating-chamber having a discharge-opening through the bottom of the vessel below the water-line, means for supplying carbid to the generator, an engine, and means for conducting the gas from the generator to the engine.

4. In combination with a vessel having a generatingchamber therein, the same opening through the bottom of the vessel, of means for supplying carbid to the generator, and a gas-conducting pipe passing through the bottom' of the vessel, substantially as described.

5. In an acetylene-generator the combination with a vessel, of a generating-chamber opening to the exterior thereof, and means for feeding carbid to the chamber; substantially as and for the purpose described.

6. In an acetylene-generator the combination with a vessel, of a generating-chamber opening through the bottom thereof, means for supplying carbid to the chamber, and a foraminated support in said chamber for the carbid; substantially as described.

7. In an acetylene-generator the combination with a vessel, of a generating-chamber opening to the exterior thereof, means for feeding carbid to the chamber, a burner, and a conductor for gas leading from said chamber to said burner.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

GEORGE H. DAVIS.

Witnesses:

STEPHEN W. CABLE, FREDERIC W. SHAW. 

